The development in arts and letters known as the Renaissance(rebirth) was a revived interest in classical learning and culture in the 1300's and the 1400's in Italy, but later spread to other parts of Europe.

The Renaissance involved new thought because it was a secular movement. During the feudal period, the Catholic Church was the center of learning; in fact, the medieval scholar had been concerned with the harnessing of reason in the defense and service of religion. But, with the end of feudalism and increased trading outside of Europe, new ideas emerged and the Renaissance scholar became more concerned with the secular side of things. Furthermore, poets and philosophers concerned themselves with the natural world, rather than theology. One reason for the scholarship in Italy is the fact that Greek scholars emigrated to Italy after the invasion of the Ottoman Turks who captured Constantinople. These scholars brought with them classical texts and manuscripts, which helped to revive interest in classical learning and arts.

Along with the Greek scholars, Italian scholar Petrarch is felt to be a major impetus to the rebirth of culture and learning. Having a passionate interest in the rediscovery of lost Roman manuscripts and a strong belief in the power of ancient thought to civilize, his ideas certainly complemented those who valued classical learning.

Feudalism was the dominant social system in medieval Europe, in which the nobility held lands from the Crown in exchange for military service, and vassals were in turn tenants of the nobles, while the peasants were obliged to live on their lord's land and give him homage, labour, and a share of the produce, notionally in exchange for military protection.

Feudalism was a combination of legal and military customs in medieval Europe that flourished between the 9th and 14th centuries.Feudalism was based on the division of land by the king to nobles and vassals in return for their military service under the Feudal Levy.

The land was the main source of the economy and was dependent on the peasants who worked on the land.

The reasons for the decline of Feudalism during the Medieval period of the Middle Ages included:

The Crusades and travel during the Middle Ages opened new trade options to EnglandEngland started to move from land-based economy to a money-based economy.

The Black Death - this reduced the population of England by one third. Labour became a valuable commodity.

The Peasants Revolt - Peasants realized their worth and demanded changes. Charters were granted but ignored by nobles.

More trade saw the growth of more towns.

Peasants moved away from the country into towns they were eventually allowed to buy their freedom.

The land was rented and the rights of lords over labor decreased.

Armed men were paid a wage and Medieval warfare was financed by taxes and loansNobles became weaker - the Kings took back their lands and power.

The Opium Wars were two wars in the mid-19th century involving Anglo-Chinese disputes over British trade in China and China’s sovereignty. The disputes included the First Opium War (1839–1842) and the Second Opium War (1856–1860).